The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-05-06
1924, 900 $10,S89 Sc $500 GO
$500 So
S1,696 90

S1,696 90
The above statement shows that the esti-
mated budget for the year 1887 is a net in
crease Of 81 ,696 80 over the actual expendi-
lures of the year 1886; but against this in
crease there was in the hands of the Treas
urer, on March 1, 1887, the sum Of 1855 95
In excess of the amount held by him at the
close OF the fiscal year 1886.
VALUE OF PROPERTY, ETC.
The total assessed value of property for
Chatham county for the year 1886 was, in
round numbers, $23, 100000, an increase Of
nearly 81, 000,0 900 as compared with that of
the year previous. This is evidence of our
general prosperity, but in view of the rapid
enhancement of the value of real estate in
every section of the county, and the in
creaSing industries which spring up year by
year, we do not believe that our present
system OF assessing taxes can best subseI've
the interests of all concerned. The diff
Guilty seems To be the lack of proper
medium through which the Receiver of Tax
Returns can arrive at a correct knowledge
as to the value of properties subject to
taxation. 1t seems to us that this deficiency
can be remedied by creating an equaliza-
ton board, to be composed of five or six
intelligent, upright citizens, who reside in
various sections of the county, and who
shall have general supervision of all tax
returns, and who. shall sit in Judgment to
decide what valuation shall be put upon
property when owners return it at less than
its value. The expenses attendent upon the
work of this board would be matter of
small consideration to the county, as they
would accomplish the work assigned to them
in d very short time.
POLL TAX.
We believe That there are a large number
IF Chat hor ylo
to poll tax, but who, in order to shirk the
responsibility incumbent upon them as citi-
zens, omit to pay their poll tax, thereby
evading the law. They receive all the pro-
lection that the law can extend to any citi-
zen, but contribute nothing to the support
of the county or State. We commend the
zeal of our efficient Receiver of Tax Re
turns in ferreting out these delinquents, and
trust that his work in this direction will be
rewarded with as much success during the
present as it was during the past year.
EDUCATION.
The sum Of $4,000, held in trust by the
County Treasurer, has been paid over to the
Board of Education, and of this amount
$4,000 has been judiciously expended by
them in advancing the facilities of our com
mon school system. The balance will be
used by them i'll meeting contingent eX-
penses which may arise.
The total number of children OF school
age white and colored in Chatham county,
at the close of the year ending July I, 1886,
was Is, sol children OF this number there
were enrolled in all our schools 8, l34 names,
thus leaving S,167 who did not attend the
public schools. A very large proportion of
those were colored children who were neces-
sarily detained at home assisting in the cult
walton of farms. The number of teachers of
all grades is 10 teachers.
The total disbursements of the Board of
Education during the year ending July %,
1886, was the sum of So, 691 50, or Sll 90
per capita per annum on actual enrolment.
1t is highly gratifying TO see the large and
beneficial results which have been obtained
from the limited means at the command of
the Board of Education, and we heartily
approve of the increased amount asked for
by them, believing, as we do, that the
apparent increase of burden for education
viii be more than repaid by the general
defusion of knowledge among the dependent
classes, thus operating to the advancement
of our social, political and financial status.
JURIEs.
There are, in our opinion, two many
exemptions from jury duty. The
exemptions are in very large
measure granted to the very class of
our fellow citizens who are best qualified
crease the burdens of those who have to
serve on juries, and lowers the standard of
this very important tribunal. The lives,
the liberty and the property of the citizen
is in O very large degree, under the control
of and In the hands of the jury, and any
Legislative. y'hich lowers the standard of the
average jury is at enmity with the best in
terests of the people. Where there is so
large proportion of the population not
Al. L., a1 fha Of
community, it becomes of first Importance
that tie best class of citizens give their aid
in executing tho law
FEE ELL.
Section number 1854 Of the Code of Geor
gin prcscribcs the fees TO be paid to the Or
dinaries of the counties for their services.
Under special act Of the Legislature Chat
hnn county is exempt from the provisions
OF the general law, and the fees fixed for the
Ordinary of this county are from two to
three times as lurge as are the fees for Ike
service in other counties of tho State.
In our opinion the fees allowed the Ordi-
nary under this special act are excessive
and burlensome 60 the people of the county,
and We see no valid reason why the Ordi-
nary of Chatham county, which is one OF
the most prosperous and wealthicst in the
State. should receive more for his services
thnn Is paid for like service in other coun-
ties: to the contrary, If there is 10 be any
legislation exempting Chatham county from
the provisions Of the general law,
IL would seem more equitable TO
have the Ordinarys fees fixed at less than
is paid TO the Ordinaries of the counties
where there Is comparatively little business
for them TO transact. We therefore recon-
mend the repeal of this special act, so that
the provisions Of the general law, as pro-
vided in the section above mentioned, shall
apply 70 Chatham county.
THE COURT HOUSE
We nil agree that the present structure is
Ill -. "a aud tinlit 10 rrnnaf ihA da.